A SISTER and brother admitted keeping a fire door screwed shut in their shop which was gutted in a blaze which closed a busy shopping street.

Ms Farzana Safdar Ali of Caerleon Road in Newport and her brother, Mr Waris Ali of Avondale Road in Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to 29 charges in relation to inadequate fire safety arrangements in three shops.

Ms Ali, company director of Phaze Limited, pleaded guilty to 23 offences and Mr Ali, store manager, pleaded guilty to six offences at a trial in Cwmbran Magistrates Court on Monday held as a result of action brought against them by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS).

The case stemmed from the morning of March 12, 2014 when firefighters were called to a blaze at their shop on Cardiff Road in Caerphilly, which closed the street for several hours.

At the height of the fire there were seven fire engines and over 35 fire-fighters tackling the blaze and when the property was investigated, crews noticed a fire escape door screwed shut at the back of the property.

The fire safety failure led to an investigation at their other two shops in South Wales, which found “serious deficiencies” including jammed fire escape doors and fire alarms being isolated.

At a sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday, April 29, Judge Furness commented that the employee “was fortunate the fire was behind them and not in front of them.”

He added that “Both defendants bear responsibility and there is a high culpability because the failings were longstanding.”

Ms Ali received a four month custodial sentence suspended for twelve months and was ordered to pay £4,800 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Mr Ali also received a four month custodial sentence suspended for twelve months and ordered to pay £2,400 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge and undertake 100 hours unpaid work.

Head of business fire safety for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Steve Rossiter, said: “I am pleased with the outcome of the case as it was only a matter of luck that prevented a fire death at the Cardiff Road incident, “When faced with such failings in fire safety provisions we take the decision to prosecute very seriously.

“The decision to prosecute in this case was not taken lightly, however there was a serious risk to the occupants and this was attributed directly to the actions of the company.”

Business owners or members of staff who have concerns about fire safety or would like more information about the Fire Safety Order (2005) can visit www.southwales-fire.gov.uk